Adults in Poor Physical Health Reporting Behavioral Health Conditions Have Higher Health Costs

This report uses 2012 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data. Adults aged 18 to 64 in poor physical health who also reported behavioral health conditions (i.e., mental health or substance use disorders) had higher total health care expenditures than adults in poor health without behavioral health conditions. These higher total health care expenditures were caused by higher physical health care expenditures. These higher total health care expenditures hold for all types of health insurance coverage.